surveyorjp
Missouri
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Joined: 09/05/2005
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http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/200........-reliable-minivan-according-to-j-d-power
Yes I know, this came from allpar (can't be accurate, must be an opinion according to Rolling Rock), but the source is JD power. And it isn't just the 90 day survey, it's 3 years.
Hard to believe huh Capt. ? 
2005 Surveyor SV-291
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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And it is goofy looking. Have you actually sat in, driven, ridden in the back seats? Have you sat in those seats that fold into the floor, the middle ones? Have you swiveled those silly seats and felt how loose, woobly the mounting is. Have you floored it from 35mph and felt the engine shake and weeze? Have you felt the interior plastics, could they be any cheaper. Want to ride in a nice Chrysler minivan? Go to a VW dealer and see how a pig's ear can be made more acceptable.
And it is ugly besides being goofy looking. I will happily keep what I have, by far the best van on the market. Better mileage, better ride, far better interior, and a very telling item, much, much better resale value! How much will a Chrysler minivan be worth in 5 years? Maybe 20% of it's MSRP?
http://www.kbb.com/kbb/NewsAndReviews/Be........ValueAwards.aspx?SelectedIndex=9#Content
Capt Skup
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p220sigman
Tallahassee, FL, USA
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The Toyota Tundra received the same award for the Large Truck segment.
The Ford Ranger won for the Midsized Truck Segment
I do have to agree with the good Capt. Driving Caravans all the time at work including extended trips, I'll take our Sienna any day.
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Keith99RS
Suffield, CT
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That directly contradicts the issues Motortrend has had with their long term Caravan. Many nit noid issues and quality issues. Overall they like the Caravan for what it is in the review but don't think much of it's build quality and put it a level below the Sienna and Odessy because of it. No bashing just relaying another point of view.
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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I'm a Mopar fan, having owned and built several over the years.
That said, I find this study highly unlikely. I know people who bought newer Chrysler vans, and have been let down. I believe the quality got real good for a time, them plummeted as Chrysler's financial woes started piling up.
And the Honda vans are nice, but they have started getting a reputation for weak transmissions and being thirsty at the pump. I get significantly better mileage from my American van than my cubicle neighbor does with his newer Honda.
Honestly, the best minivans on the road are the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona. They both perform extremely well, and are built to a much higher standard. All it takes is a drive in each to convince. I drove a rental Kia to Texas a few months back and was very impressed. Our company van is a Sienna, and it also is a real nice van, and much more fun to drive with the new 267hp motor.
And our Ford just passed 95k miles, and my mechanical repairs have been limited to a wheel bearing that started squeaking. Of course I'm biased, but I think the Freestars are the most comfortable of all. They are just roomier all around, have better seats and nicer ride. And yes, I've driven the competition. Too bad they are no longer made, because I personally think Ford took a very long time to come up with a decent minivan, then killed it before anyone knew it existed. Oh well.
I think my next minivan will not be a minivan at all. Our kids are teens now, so traveling doesn't include car seats and play-pens anymore. My wife wants a Challenger when we finally trade in the van. 
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Keith99RS
Suffield, CT
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Get a Mustang Caddy 
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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Keith99RS wrote:Get a Mustang Caddy The wife can have her Challenger (if that's what she wants). I holding out for an WRX STi.
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lesmore49
canada
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deleted by poster
* This post was
edited 10/14/09 04:55pm by lesmore49 *
lesmore49
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RollingRockTX
Keller, Texas
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Joined: 08/04/2006
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I know that Surveyor will love this, he loves CR.
According to CR, the Grand Caravan isn't recommended.
The lows: "Lack of grip and agility, braking, engine noise, fuel economy, option audio system, reliability".
The highs "access, interior flexibility, interior features"
Predicted reliability, "worse"
Owner Satisfaction "below average"
Tops were the Toyota Sienna and Odyssey
Quoted from page 45 of the April CR Car Edition
"Overall the Grand Caravan is a disappointment. The rear coil springs improved the ride comfort, but the rear can be buoyant on the highway. The 3.8-and 4.0- liter engines are a bit noisy and not very fuel efficient and are mated to a responsive six-speed automatic. Standard safety gear includes curtain air bags and ESC. The flat-folding second-and-third-row seats are still available, with the swiveling second-row captain's chars option. Reliability of the redesign has been well below average"
The Town and Country did worse in the article.
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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We had a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan which worked very well for us. Sold it to our niece with 98,000 miles on the clock, In the year before we sold it, we spent $1600 on new brakes both ends, a new power steering fluid reservoir, and a new window motor in the driver's door. The most expensive part of the above was brakes, which are a maintenance item, not a repair. We also put on one set of new tires during the time we owned it. Everything I've read about the newer ones is "don't buy one."
RRUGG
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